Cyndi Rickards, EdD, coordinator of community outreach and assistant teaching professor of criminology and justice studies

As part of Drexel University’s commitment to democratic engagement and civic learning, the University introduced the Side-by-Side, Community-Based Learning format in 2012. This high-impact course format brings together traditional Drexel students and disenfranchised community members to learn alongside one another. Although the courses have received high course evaluations, there has been no formal research on this course format.

A convergent mixed-methods study examined the acquisition of 21st-century skills identified as civic engagement, experience with diversity, transferrable skills, global perspectives and course engagement. Additionally, emergent themes and unexpected learning outcomes as a result of this unique learning model provided empirical support for both scaffolding civic learning and larger community outreach.

The College of Arts and Sciences' Dean's Seminars are free and open to the Drexel community. Light refreshments will be served.